4th Dynasty

Relief of Hetepheres II and daughter Meresankh III

A relief of the deceased Queen Meresankh III and her mother Hetepheres II sailing in the marshes to gather papyrus reeds for the ritual of ‘shaking the papyrus’ to induce the goddess Hathor to them: “Her mother, daughter of the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Khufu, the great favourite, Hetep-heres. Her beloved daughter, the...

Princess Nefertiabet, as depicted on her stela, where she is seen receiving food offerings, titled as; "[the products of the] field".

Princess Nefertiabet; “King’s Daughter; 𓇓𓅭𓏏”

Princess Nefertiabet is most likely the daughter of king Khufu, and she is seen here depicted in a leopard or panther skin dress and choker style collar. Old Kingdom, 4th Dynasty, c. 2600 B.C. Mastaba G 1225, Giza Plateau Musée du Louvre. E 15591 Nefertiabet is shown seated facing right. She is depicted with a...

Seated Statues of Rahotep and Nofret

Seated Statues of Rahotep and Nofret

Prince Rahotep and his wife Nofret life-like painted limestone statues are considered among the most famous private statues from ancient Egypt. The statues were discovered in the mastaba tomb (a tomb in the form of a rectangular platform) of Rahotep, north of the pyramid of Snefru, in Meidum, dating to the reign of King Snefru...

Statuette of King Khufu

Statuette of King Khufu

The Khufu Statuette or the Ivory figurine of Khufu is an ancient Egyptian statue. Historically and archaeologically significant, it was found in 1903 by Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie during excavation of Kom el-Sultan in Abydos. Despite the discovery of a few other small fragments of the king’s statues and statuettes, this ivory statuette is...

Magic knife (peseshkef) inscribed for King Khufu

Magic knife (peseshkef) inscribed for King Khufu

The peseshkef was a disntictive type of knife that was split at one end and is sometimes called a “fishtail” knife today. This fine-grained flint wand is inscribed with the name of Khufu. Ritual wands were used in the Opening of the Mouth Ceremony to allow the deceased to eat and drink once more; this...

Tomb Chapel of Queen Meresankh III

Tomb Chapel of Queen Meresankh III

Meresankh III was one of the most famous Queens in the Old Kingdom of Ancient Egypt. She lived approximately 2600 BC. Her grandfather was King Khufu, an important ruler in the 4th Dynasty, who is well known as the builder of the largest pyramid on the Giza plateau. “She held the royal titles of King’s...

Relief of a Group of Archers

This fragment of relief of a group of archers shows one of the most elaborately composed scenes preserved from the Old Kingdom. A careful examination reveals parts of at least four archers, three standing and one kneeling below them, his extended left arm and the upper part of his head just visible along the lower...

Stele of Princess Nefertiabet and her Food

Stele of Princess Nefertiabet

The King’s relatives, such as Princess Nefertiabet, Khufu’s daughter—depicted on this relief stele found in her tomb (G 1225) in Giza—were buried beside the sovereign’s pyramid. Nefertiabet is shown seated facing right. She is depicted with a long wig and a panther-skin garment. An offering table in front of her bears reeds, as is common,...

Statue of King Sneferu

Statue of King Sneferu

In this statue, King Sneferu, the founder of the 4th Dynasty, can be seen wearing the White Hedjet Crown of Upper Egypt, and a collar around his neck. The king wears a short kilt, which is carved in detail and tied by a belt. The cartouche of king Senferu can be seen at the center...

Statue of the dwarf Perniankhu

Statue of the dwarf Perniankhu

The dwarf Perniankhu is depicted in this statue wearing a traditional, curled wig; his face is strong and displays a quiet serenity, strength and power. His eyes are framed in black and the eyebrows are well-defined. The right hand is placed upon his right thigh and holds the sekhem-scepter, his left hand, across his chest,...